[Sinseki Era - 21 Years Prior, Deep Winter]
[Northern Nations · Äußerst]
"What a terrible development."
In the restaurant, Denken reached up to adjust the lens on his eye frame, concealing his suddenly contracted pupils.
Witnessing the Empire's thousand-year-old cultural artifact being destroyed, to say there was no impact would be false.
After all, it was the authentic work of the great mage Flamme.
As the pioneer of humanity's magical era, even if later mages didn't understand her specific deeds well, when this name that repeatedly appeared in magical textbooks was mentioned, their hearts would hold some respect.
And Denken's feelings were far stronger than ordinary people's.
Because he was a Court Mage!
As a position born from Flamme's existence, Court Mages could not only move among royal family members and enjoy extremely high political treatment without being governed by other departments, but could also freely access national libraries under the pretext of magical research, browsing the collected magical texts and precious manuscripts left by Lady Flamme.
But the most precious point was that Lady Flamme had left requirements that Court Mages should prioritize magical aptitude in personnel selection, with background being secondary.
Because of this, rural declining nobles like Denken could have the opportunity to exchange aptitude and military merit for access to the Empire's core power circles.
Moreover, the original Court Mages were all Flamme's students.
Even though the great mage Flamme had been deceased for a long time.
The court mages still inherited the wisdom she established and enjoyed the political protection she left behind.
Therefore, in Denken's heart, even if he didn't dare place himself in the position of Lady Flamme's student, he still considered himself one of her successors.
And when the Imperial Capital selected Denken for this diplomatic mission, this consideration was also involved.
They hoped that when Serie saw the successor of her disciple bringing back her disciple's diary, she would understand that the dream Flamme left behind was still taking root and sprouting on Imperial soil, passed down generation after generation.
This way, even if Serie didn't express support, her impression of the Empire would surely improve considerably.
As long as the Continental Magic Association could slightly favor the Empire in the future, this diplomatic mission wouldn't be in vain.
It's just...
Looking at the gift that Serie had directly torn to pieces, Denken understood that the Empire's think tank's plan had failed this time.
Fortunately, he hadn't held much hope of completing this mission from the start, otherwise he'd probably be worried about losing considerable hair.
On the other side of the dining table.
Looking at his teacher who was tearing up the diary, Gut hesitated whether to speak up and dissuade her.
At least, read it once before destroying it.
But when Gut observed that none of the paper scraps falling from the elf's fingertips flew out of the gift box, he instantly understood.
He couldn't help but smile and shake his head.
Teacher, is it really so difficult to reveal your true feelings?
You clearly want to read it very much.
"What are you laughing at?"
The elf stopped her actions, frowning as she glanced at her disciple beside her.
"Nothing." Gut waved his hand and replied: "I just suddenly thought of a... quite cute scene."
In his mind, he imagined the scene after the dinner ended, with the elf crouching in some deserted corner, carefully piecing together the diary.
The curve of Gut's smile grew even wider.
"Think whatever you want."
The elf pursed her lips, thoroughly tearing up Flamme's diary before throwing it along with the gift box on the ground.
Then, she looked up at Denken sitting across from her, asking with a cold expression:
"You were quite angry with me just now, weren't you?"
"Seeing the Empire's treasured cultural artifact destroyed by you, surprise inevitably brings some emotions."
Denken didn't avoid Serie's question. After frankly admitting his inability to hide his feelings, he gave a relatively appropriate reason.
"Heh." Serie laughed coldly, clearly not believing Denken's explanation.
Anyone could guess that this child was angry because she had torn up Flamme's diary, but...
"It doesn't matter, I don't care."
"You're called Denken, right? The association's staff showed me your information."
"A former ordinary mage who served in the army, now a member of the Imperial Capital's core circles."
"Being known by you is truly my honor." Denken placed his hand on his chest, responding with a humble attitude.
Honestly, in just a few minutes, the developments at the negotiation table had exceeded Denken's expectations.
Now, he could only take things step by step, raising his utmost vigilance to carefully deal with this legendary figure of the magical world's attention toward him.
"Come be my disciple, Denken."
"Mm..."
Even Denken, who had prepared various scenarios in his mind, felt somewhat dazed when hearing Serie's invitation, falling into contemplation for a moment, unsure how to respond.
After thinking briefly, Denken shook his head: "Please forgive my refusal."
But after refusing, Denken couldn't suppress his curiosity, staring at Serie across the round table and seriously asking:
"May I know why you would have such an intention?"
After hearing Denken's refusal, Serie's eyes showed some disappointment, but she still answered his confusion.
"When you entered and saw me, your first thought was how to defeat me, right?"
"Correct." Denken admitted, "But it was only for an instant. I quickly abandoned that idea."
"But ordinary mages wouldn't even have the thought of fighting me after sensing my magical power."
"Is this enough to qualify me?"
"Not just that." Serie said with a half-smile.
"After seeing me tear up Flamme's diary, you were angry enough to want to take action for a moment."
"But after calming down, you could still speak with me humbly and cautiously."
"This mental disposition is quite good. If you maintain it, you could probably live to the end of a human lifespan, so my training wouldn't quickly go to waste."
"I see."
Seeing the genuine disappointed expression in Serie's eyes, Denken felt quite sorry.
"May I ask why?"
Serie stopped her actions, looking at Denken with some disappointment.
"Nothing." Gut waved his hand in reply: "Just suddenly thinking of a... quite cute picture."
The scene he imagined in his mind was of the elf squatting in some deserted corner after the meal ended, carefully piecing together the diary.
Gut's smile curve couldn't help but grow larger.
"Think whatever you want."
The elf pursed her lips, completely tearing up Flamme's diary and throwing it on the ground along with the gift box.
Then, looking up at Denken sitting across from her, she asked coldly:
"You were quite angry with me just now, weren't you?"
"Seeing the cultural artifacts treasured by the Empire being destroyed by you, shock naturally brings some emotion."
Denken didn't evade Serie's question, frankly admitting his failure to conceal his emotions while providing a reasonable explanation.
"Heh." Serie sneered, obviously not believing Denken's excuse.
Anyone could guess this child was angry because she tore up Flamme's diary, but...
"It doesn't matter. I don't care."
"You're called Denken, right? The association's staff showed me your file."
"A common mage who once served in the military, now part of the Imperial Capital's core circle."
"Being known by you is my honor." Denken placed his hand on his chest, responding humbly.
Honestly, developments at the negotiation table in just minutes had exceeded Denken's expectations.
Now he could only proceed step by step, maintaining maximum alertness to carefully handle this magical world legend's attention.
"Come be my disciple, Denken."
"Mm..."
Even having prepared mental scenarios, Denken felt confused hearing Serie's invitation, contemplating how to respond.
After brief consideration, Denken shook his head: "Please forgive my refusal."
After refusing, Denken couldn't suppress his curiosity, staring at Serie and seriously asking:
"May I know your reasoning for this intention?"
Hearing Denken's refusal, Serie's eyes showed disappointment, but she answered his confusion.
"Upon entering and seeing me, you first thought how to defeat me, correct?"
"Yes." Denken admitted. "But only momentarily. I quickly abandoned that thought."
"Ordinary mages sensing my magical power wouldn't even consider fighting me."
"Is this alone sufficient qualification?"
"Not only that." Serie said with a slight smile.
"After seeing me tear Flamme's diary, you momentarily felt angry enough to act."
"But after calming down, you could still converse humbly and cautiously."
"This temperament is quite good. Maintaining it, you could probably survive to natural human lifespan's end, so my cultivation wouldn't quickly be wasted."
"I see."
Seeing Serie's genuinely disappointed expression, Denken felt quite apologetic.
"May I ask why?"
Serie set down her utensils, staring at Denken with some disappointment.
"Nothing." Gut replied, waving his hand. "Just suddenly imagining a... rather cute scene."
In his mind, he pictured the elf after dinner's end, crouching in some deserted corner, carefully piecing together the diary.
Gut's smile couldn't help widening.
"Think what you want."
The elf pursed her lips, completely shredding Flamme's diary before discarding it with the gift box.
Then she looked up at Denken sitting opposite, asking coldly:
"You were quite angry with me just now, weren't you?"
"Seeing Imperial treasured artifacts destroyed by you, surprise naturally brings emotional response."
Denken didn't avoid Serie's question, frankly admitting his emotional display while offering reasonable explanation.
"Heh." Serie coldly laughed, clearly disbelieving Denken's excuse.
One could guess this child was angry because she destroyed Flamme's diary, but...
"Doesn't matter. I don't care."
"You're called Denken, right? Association staff showed me your information."
"Former military mage, now Imperial Capital core member."
"Being known by you honors me." Denken touched his chest, responding humbly.
Honestly, negotiation developments in mere minutes exceeded Denken's expectations.
He could only proceed cautiously, maintaining extreme vigilance toward this magical legend's attention.
"Become my disciple, Denken."
"Mm..."
Despite mental preparation, Denken felt dazed hearing Serie's invitation, contemplating his response.
After brief thought, Denken shook his head: "Please forgive my refusal."
But refusing sparked his curiosity. Staring at Serie, he seriously asked:
"May I understand your reasoning?"
Hearing Denken's refusal, Serie's eyes showed disappointment, but she answered:
"Upon seeing me, you first considered how to defeat me, correct?"
"Yes." Denken admitted. "But only briefly. I quickly abandoned that idea."
"Ordinary mages sensing my power wouldn't even contemplate fighting me."
"Does this alone qualify me?"
"Not only." Serie said with faint smile.
"Seeing me destroy Flamme's diary, you momentarily felt angry enough to act."
"But after calming, you could still converse humbly and carefully."
"This disposition is excellent. Maintaining it, you could survive full human lifespan, preventing my training from being quickly wasted."
"I see."
Denken felt considerable remorse seeing Serie's genuine disappointment.
"But I cannot."
Serie withdrew her gaze, no longer watching Denken.
"Your Majesty, I understand this won't be easy."
Denken's numerous aspirations required fulfillment within the Empire's power center.
"Sorry, Lady Serie. Please forgive my earlier rudeness."
"No matter." The elf waved dismissively, then capriciously said: "Leave. We have nothing to discuss."
Denken opened his mouth wanting to say more, but shockingly found himself speechless.
After using magic to "mute" Denken, Serie kicked Gut with her shin, instructing:
"Take him out and handle the diplomatic matters too."
"Fine."
Gut set down his fork, reluctantly agreeing before leading Denken from the restaurant.
Teacher's mood was visibly poor now. Better quickly remove Denken.
Several steps from the restaurant, Denken discovered the magic affecting his vocal cords was dissipating.
Testing a few sounds, confirming speech was possible, Denken couldn't help complaining: "Lady Serie is truly willful."
"You first refused teacher twice. She didn't use magic to blast you away, which already shows considerable restraint."
Gut rolled his eyes at Denken.
"True enough."
Realizing he wasn't entirely reasonable, Denken nodded, dropping the topic.
"So... shall we proceed according to our pre-meal agreement? You represent Lady Serie, accompanying me back to the Empire?"
"Yes." Gut nodded somewhat absent-mindedly, his gaze wandering the street as if searching for something.
"Looking for someone?" Denken asked.
"Mm, searching for a candy-selling boy. I remember he usually hawks around here."
"Boy? Selling candy?"
Denken glanced at the street's remaining snow traces. "That's certainly not easy."
"Indeed. Even with the Demon King's defeat, various regions remain unsettled. That child's village was attacked by demons, so just he and his sister escaped."
"I see..." Denken's expression darkened. Years of military service had shown him too many such tragedies.
Even Denken himself was a demon attack survivor.
"Did they return after selling out?"
After searching the street unsuccessfully, Gut simply closed his eyes, extending magical perception.
Unlike eyesight's limited range, magical detection quickly located his target.
"The child's over here."
Gut opened his eyes and moved forward, with Denken following.
After walking several street corners, Gut stopped before a shop where magical detection had found the boy inside boiling syrup while his sister organized finished candy.
"This shop... isn't this the old lady's?"
Gut recognized this establishment. When first arriving in Äußerst, he'd bought candy here, giving it to a little girl and receiving a daily good deed quest reward.
Later, finding the taste good, he'd often brought Gumi here.
Puzzled, Gut pushed open the shop door.
"Welcome!" The little girl stopped her work, sweetly greeting the door.
"Oh, it's Brother Gut!"
Seeing the visitor's face clearly, the girl quickly ran over for a hug.
Gut rubbed her head while smiling at her brother boiling syrup.
The boy apologetically pointed to his stirring stick, indicating he couldn't stop, greeting Gut before continuing work.
Gut could only ask the sister how they'd come to work here.
Through the girl's explanation, Gut gradually understood the situation.
This was all Gumi and Lernen's doing during his absence.
Originally, as the shop owner aged, she increasingly felt unable to manage alone and considered selling the candy shop.
When Gumi learned her favorite candy shop might close, she was heartbroken, begging the lady not to leave.
But physical limitations left no choice. Rejected, Gumi bought several bags of favorite candy, returning to share with senior brother Lernen while venting.
But the speaker was unintentional while the listener was interested.
Lernen immediately thought of the siblings Gut often helped. After proposing to Gumi, they reached agreement.
One wanted to invest in Äußerst property while doing good deeds, while the other hoped to preserve the lady's techniques.
Together they invested in taking over the lady's shop, hiring the siblings so they wouldn't suffer cold and heat on streets while earning good wages.
The lady also agreed to Gumi's "sincere persuasion" to stay longer, teaching her skills to the siblings.
"Gumi and Lernen did excellently!"
Gut genuinely praised while buying two large bags of candy and bread as usual, clearing most shelf inventory.
"Thank you, Brother Gut."
After payment, the sister sweetly thanked him, escorting them several steps outside before returning.
"Here, for you."
Gut handed Denken a bag of candy and bread. "Don't say the Continental Magic Association diplomatic mission doesn't provide meals—I've treated you."
"Mm, of course."
Denken bit into bread, his face showing genuine smile. "Food with stories tastes warm and delicious."
"Yes, quite warming."
[Ding!]
[Daily Quest: Good Deed completed]
[Random reward drawing...]
[Drawing complete]
[Congratulations, Host acquired item - Good Dream Pillow]